Revenue leadership determines how fast a company compounds. When boards and CROs ask who are the top executive recruiters for sales, they look for partners who understand the difference between a strong closer and a true builder of go-to-market systems.
This guide reviews ten sales leadership hiring firms that consistently appear in independent lists of top headhunting firms for sales and commercial roles. It also offers a practical framework for VP Sales search and for choosing the right executive recruiting partner for your stage.
How sales leadership executive search firms were selected
The firms below appear across multiple independent sources that track the best sales recruiting firms and sales executive recruiters worldwide.
Selection focused on:
• Record of placing Vice President of Sales, CRO and senior sales leaders
• Specialised VP Sales recruiters or dedicated sales executive teams
• Breadth of executive search services across technology, SaaS and B2B markets
• Clear references and independent recognition
1. Christian & Timbers
Christian & Timbers is a leadership advisory and executive search firm known for work in AI, cybersecurity and advanced technology. The firm also has a strong focus on go-to-market roles and senior sales executives. Testimonials highlight placements of CROs, CMOs, SVP Sales and other GTM leaders who helped portfolio companies double revenue and complete major exits.
Through its CT Talent professional search arm, Christian & Timbers supports VP Sales search and senior account executive hiring, combining the discipline of executive search with a flexible model for sales and engineering roles.
Best for:
• High-growth and investor-backed technology companies that treat sales leadership as a strategic function
• Boards that want one partner for both C-level GTM leaders and senior sales professionals
2. Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry ranks consistently among the largest global executive recruiting firms and is frequently listed in guides to the best sales recruiting firms and top sales recruitment agencies.
Its sales and marketing practice places CROs, regional sales leaders and channel executives worldwide. With strong assessment tools and leadership development programs, Korn Ferry suits enterprises that want an integrated approach across leadership hiring, competency models and incentives.
3. Peak Sales Recruiting
Peak Sales Recruiting appears in many lists of top sales recruiters and sales executive recruiting firms, especially for B2B technology, manufacturing and industrial companies.
The firm focuses on sales leadership roles and high-performing account executives, positioning itself as a specialist among VP Sales headhunters.
4. SalesTalent
SalesTalent operates as a dedicated sales recruiting agency with strong emphasis on sales leadership recruiters. Its executive sales recruiters are former sales leaders and the firm curates a list of the best sales recruiters in the United States.
SalesTalent offers national coverage, executive search services for VP Sales and CRO roles and targeted projects for regional leaders and enterprise account executives.
5. Cowen Partners Executive Search
Cowen Partners is a boutique executive search firm with a strong sales and marketing practice. Its sales executive recruiters and B2B VP Sales recruiting team work with clients that range from high growth private companies to Fortune 1000 enterprises.
For leadership teams that want a partner focused on revenue, Cowen Partners combines VP Sales recruiters with broader C suite search capability in finance, operations and technology.
6. Talentfoot Executive Search
Talentfoot appears in several lists titled Who Are The Top Sales Recruiters of 2025 and similar rankings.
The firm operates as a sales executive recruiter and marketing search partner with strong digital and growth company exposure. Talentfoot fits organisations that want leadership hiring firms able to support VP Sales, marketing leadership and revenue operations under one roof.
7. Betts Recruiting
Betts Recruiting focuses on revenue leadership and go to market talent for technology companies. It is featured alongside other top sales executive recruiters for work in SaaS, fintech and venture backed businesses.
Betts is a strong option for companies that want a combination of VP Sales headhunters and teams able to scale sales development, account executives and customer success.
8. Treeline
Treeline is recognised as one of the best sales recruiting firms in the United States and has received awards for excellence in staffing services.
The firm specialises in building outbound and inbound sales teams and offers executive search services for sales managers and regional leaders. For companies that want a pure play sales recruiting partner with strong candidate pipelines, Treeline is a frequent choice.
9. Search Solution Group
Search Solution Group runs a dedicated sales executive recruiting practice that supports Fortune 500 companies, mid market enterprises and fast growing startups.
Its sales executive recruiters cover roles from regional directors to VP Sales and CRO, with a structured approach to research, screening and interview support.
10. KAS Placement
KAS Placement is a long standing sales and marketing recruiting firm, regularly referenced as one of the top headhunting firms for sales management and account executives.
The firm positions itself among the best executive recruiters for sales roles ranging from individual contributors to senior leaders, with vertical experience across more than one hundred industries.
How to choose executive search partners for VP Sales and CRO roles
The question of how to choose an executive search partner for sales leadership depends on your growth stage, sales model and hiring plan. A structured approach helps.
1. Clarify the mandate
Before speaking with any leadership hiring firms, define:
• Revenue expectations for the next two to four years
• The current state of your sales organisation and where it breaks
• The scope of responsibility for the new leader, including marketing, customer success or partnerships
• The type of sales motion: enterprise, mid market, inside sales, product led or channel
This document anchors conversations when evaluating executive recruiting firms and VP Sales recruiters.
2. Match firm focus to your sales model
Some firms on this list are broad executive search firms with dedicated sales practices, while others focus exclusively on sales and marketing.
• For a first VP Sales hire in a SaaS startup, a specialist among VP Sales headhunters with early stage experience can offer stronger value.
• For a global enterprise CRO search, a large firm that already supports board and CEO hiring may be more effective.
Use your own sales model as the reference point.
3. Look beyond marketing claims
When reviewing websites that reference “sales executive recruiters” or “best executive recruiters,” ask for concrete evidence.
Good questions include:
• Recent VP Sales or CRO mandates similar to your situation and what happened after the hire
• Average time to shortlist and fill
• One and two year retention rates
• How they assess quota performance, leadership capability and cultural fit
This turns a generic search for who are top executive recruiters into a decision based on outcomes.
4. Understand the process
Top headhunting firms follow structured processes for VP Sales search. Ask for clarity on:
• Discovery work with your CEO, CRO, finance and board
• Market mapping for both active and passive candidates
• Screening and interview design, including role plays and business cases
• Reference checking and support during offer and onboarding
A clear process matters as much as the brand of the firm.
Practical checklist for sales leadership hiring
For CEOs, CROs and heads of people, this checklist helps organise the work with your chosen executive search partner.
- Write a one-page mandate for the role with clear revenue, hiring and operational goals.
- Shortlist three to five executive recruiting firms or VP Sales headhunters that align with your sector and stage.
- Use a simple scorecard that covers sector expertise, leadership hiring track record, references and team chemistry.
- Clarify expectations on reporting cadence, candidate pipeline visibility and interview support.
- Treat the relationship as a long-term partnership for future sales leadership roles, not only a single VP Sales search.
When these steps are in place, top sales leadership executive search firms become an extension of your leadership team and help secure the Vice President of Sales or CRO who can build a durable revenue engine rather than deliver only one strong quarter.